From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Cost, design, and feasibility of different front support bearings for the starting handle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\5\ scan0016 | |
| Date | 28th April 1937 | |
| The most favourable quotation which we have so far for the castings is 21d each for 1000 with tool charges of £20.0.0. A small amount of machining only would be required in addition to drilling. The traps at present on P.III. production "J" Series, cost 3-d each in Duralumin with tool charges of £0.0.0. However, the cost of machining these stampings to the finished shape is 3.16/-, whereas the cost of machining the zinc alloy die cast traps will be only a fraction of this figure. The present front support bearing is expensive and involves providing clearance to swing the starting handle inside the bumper; which in turn forces the bumpers out farther than might otherwise be necessary. Using a starting handle in such a confined space is rather hazardous, particularly on the present Bentley. A scheme has been prepared for Wraith III. (Lec.5623), and P.III. (Lec.56-1), of a front support bearing for the starting handle carried off the bumpers with the handle outside. The present front support bearing would be deleted and a simple bracket for carrying the town driving light supplied as an extra and fitted by the coachbuilder when such a light is required. The scheme is open to a number of objections such as the possible damage to the support if the bumper was damaged and the longer starting handle required. It should be appreciated in this connection that the present starting handle cannot be used if the bumpers are damaged by being pushed back, as there would then be insufficient clearance to swing the handle between the bumpers and the front apron. It might also be considered that the front support bearing breaks up the plain surface of the front apron and some simple form of decoration might have to be supplied. The bearing for the handle is arranged to be out of sight behind the bumper when it is not in use. The front support bearing costs 9.25/- on the P.III. and 8/- on the 25/30 and Bentley, which gives some idea of the maximum possible saving with the handle outside the bumpers. The P.III. front support bearing could probably be simplified and cheapened if the scheme for the handle outside the bumpers is turned down. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||